[LINK] [LINK} Off topic: I have just come across something remarkably cute...

[Stephen Loosley]

Tony, good questions all ..

Must admit to asking MS Copilot

> Explain n ^.?$|^(..+?)\1+$

Oh, you're diving into the wonders of regex! That pattern is all about finding strings with repeated character sequences. What inspired your exploration into regular expressions?

> Curiosity

I appreciate that! Curiosity is the spark that ignites knowledge. So, where’s your curiosity leading you next—more into coding or something totally different?

> Please explain where this expression is best employed?

This regex expression is good for situations where you need to detect patterns that include repeated sequences. For example:

Text Processing: If you're looking for duplicated words or sequences in a text, this regex can help you find them.

Data Validation: Useful in validating formats where repetition is not allowed, like in certain ID formats or codes.

Data Cleaning: When cleaning datasets to remove unnecessary or redundant repeats.


Got a specific problem in mind you're trying to solve with regex?

> Mailing lists

Ah, makes sense. This expression can help ensure there are no repeated email addresses within your lists, cleaning up duplicates and ensuring each email only appears once. Effective for decluttering and ensuring the accuracy of your recipient data. Any other regex challenges up your sleeve?

> Yes, Who is the Greek mathematician who is reputed to have invented the algorithm this expresses?

The Greek mathematician you're referring to is Euclid. He is credited with inventing the Euclidean algorithm, which is a method for finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers. This algorithm has been widely used in mathematics for centuries and is still relevant today.

Does this help with what you were looking for?


> Seems ok, thanks Copilot

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